Spend the days leading up to the Hungarian event watching their films

Cartoons are inevitably a part of childhood. Animation is not only a popular source of entertainment, but it also has many positive effects on children. In the early stages of learning, it helps them develop their cognitive skills, logic and reasoning. It helps them to choose different languages. It also instills creativity.

Every last Sunday in May Hungary celebrates “Children’s Day”, during which cultural and educational activities focused on the well-being of children are organized. This year, the Hungarian Embassy in Manila commemorates the occasion with the traditional Hungarian Film Festival. Kids will see some of the best cartoon movies, from contemporary classics or big names to cult films from the Central European country.

The Hungarian Film Festival or HUFF is an annual event that commemorates Hungarian cinema in the Philippines. It was first organized five years ago. The Hungarian Embassy pays homage to the youngest members of society by treating them with all kinds of cartoons.

Hungarian animation has a rich history which began in 1914. Beginning with short promotional cartoons before the World Wars, cartoons in Hungary experienced sporadic and interrupted development during the turbulent years. With communism came the nationalization of the Hungarian animation studio, and politics strongly dictated the subject of cartoons. In the 1970s, the softening effects of Goulash communism allowed artists to begin to express themselves. The period between the 60s and 80s is considered the golden age of Hungarian animation.

Representing the best of Hungarian animation, these five films will be presented at HUFF.

Bela Ternovszky Cat City (Macskafogó, 1986), which will open the festival, is an animal parody of Hollywood spy films. In the year 80 AMM (after Mickey Mouse) on Planet X, criminal cats attempt to wipe out the population of mice. However, the mouse scientist Professor Fushimishi has found a weapon against the threat. Retired Constable Nick Grabowsky is tasked with securing the plans, along with Sgt. Lazy Dick, a second secret agent employed as a distraction for cats.

A faithful adaptation of the famous children’s novel of the same name by István Fekete, The Litte Fox (Vuk, 1981), tells about the fate of an orphan fox who matures in the harsh forest. Along with Cat City, Vuk is considered one of the most beloved classics of Hungarian animation.

A romantic historical room located in Habsburg and in Turkey-occupied Hungary, The treasure of the swamp forest (Szaffi, 1985), takes place in the tumultuous 18th century. The poor Hungarian aristocrat Jonas helps a young, pretty Roma gypsy and the illegitimate daughter of a Turkish pasha named Szaffi to obtain the treasure which is due to him by right of inheritance.

Animation has many positive effects on children. In the early stages of learning, it helps them develop their cognitive skills, logic and reasoning. It helps them to choose different languages. It also instills creativity.

Willy the sparrow (Vili a veréb, 1989) tells the story of a 10-year-old boy transformed into a bird by a fairy. Young Vili is turned into a sparrow as punishment for shooting birds with a BB pistol.

The captain of the forest (Az erdő kapitánya, 1988) follows the story of Captain, a brave dog and forest police captain, who must outsmart his nemesis, Zero the Cat, a master of disguise and fraud, who plans to take control of the woods.

All films, with English subtitles, are available on the Facebook page of the Hungarian Embassy in Manila. These films will be shown for free from May 26 to 30.

@ HunEmbassy.Manila | https://fb.me/e/2hZ5X6aMc